The Origin of Dragonsteel — Intentionally Blank Ep. 149
Apr 10, 2024
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Brandon Sanderson and special guest Emily Sanderson discuss the origins of Dragonsteel, sharing insights on company growth, early entrepreneurial steps, challenges in early company growth, and future-proofing book writing. They reflect on their journey from the start of Dragonsteel to the current era, highlighting key milestones and lessons learned along the way.
Evolution from small to formal company structure with specific personas for live streams and embracing new eras like 'Nerd Hop' and 'Glitter'.
Importance of setting up an LLC for legal protection and challenges of transitioning from a family small business to a commercial entity with multiple departments.
Deep dives
Evolution of Company Identity
The podcast episode delves into the evolution of the company identity, highlighting the transition from a casual setup with only a few employees to a formal and structured organization. It explores the journey starting from forming an LLC for liability protection to expanding into a media company with specific personas for live streams and embracing new eras like the 'Nerd Hop' and 'Glitter' eras.
Origins of Dragonsteel
The discussion centers around the origins of Dragonsteel, the company, detailing how a couple of English nerds ventured into establishing a significant media company with around 50 to 60 employees. It reflects on the challenges of starting as a small business and gradually growing into a commercial entity, emphasizing the importance of setting up an LLC for legal protection and the complexities involved in company formation.
Transition to a Real Company
The podcast episode addresses the challenges faced during the transition from a family small business to a real company with multiple departments and structured operations. It highlights the shift towards hiring external individuals beyond friends and family, setting up official departments, such as editorial, merchandise and events, created development, and publicity and marketing.
Future-Proofing the Company
The episode discusses the initiative taken to future-proof the company, driven by the need to maintain control over business aspects like book sales and marketing strategies. It narrates the strategic decisions made to secure the company's future, such as creating in-house departments, purchasing additional properties, and adapting to new challenges in the evolving business landscape.
Brandon Sanderson and special guest Emily Sanderson sit down and talk about the origins of their company "Dragonsteel" and the story of how it became what it is today.
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(0:00) - Livestream Persona's (1:10) - The Start of Dragonsteel (2:28) - "Why We Do This" (5:39) - The First Entrepreneur Step (8:43) - The First Employee (9:43) - Brandon Hires an Assistant (12:17) - The Company's Early Tales (14:54) - The Next Big Step (19:01) - Era 2 of Dragonsteel (22:41) - Growing Era 2 of Dragonsteel (24:56) - Future Proofing Writing Books (28:22) - The Challange of Early Company Growth (31:17) - The Big Kickstarter (32:40) - The Current Era of Dragonsteel (34:27) - That's Dragonsteel!
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